Formed 1921 in Rhode Island, USA, the National Boxing Association (NBA) became the World Boxing Association (WBA) in 1962. It is not to be confused with the current National Boxing Association, a completely new and different body.

On 13 January 1921 it was reported in the Tacoma News Tribune that the newly-founded NBA is composed of 17 American states.

By late 1948, New York and Massachusetts were the only states where boxing was conducted which were not members of the NBA.